NEWS

Bulger victims: We're being victimized again

Just before the sentencing of former crime boss James "Whitey" Bulger, some of the victims' families say they're being victimized again.

Updated: 7:29 AM EST Nov 7, 2013

Advertisement

Advertisement

Share

Copy Link

{copyShortcut} to copy
Link copied!

Bulger victims: We're being victimized again

Just before the sentencing of former crime boss James "Whitey" Bulger, some of the victims' families say they're being victimized again.

Updated: 7:29 AM EST Nov 7, 2013

Hide TranscriptShow Transcript

Bulger victims: We're being victimized again

Just before the sentencing of former crime boss James "Whitey" Bulger, some of the victims' families say they're being victimized again.

Updated: 7:29 AM EST Nov 7, 2013

Share

Copy Link

{copyShortcut} to copy
Link copied!

Advertisement

WEBVTT DUNKIN DUNKIN' DONUTS. POLICE CAUGHT HIM AFTER A CHASE. AFTER THE SENTENCING FOR MOB BOSS WHITEY BULGER, VICTIMS SAY THEY'RE BEING VICTIMIZED AGAIN, THIS TIME BY THE GOVERNMENT. AND LIVE AT THE FEDERAL COURTHOUSE IN BOSTON THIS MORNING TO EXPLAIN THE CITY. SOME FAMILY MEMBERS OF BULGER'S VICTIMS ARE SAYING THEY'RE BEING SHORT CHANGED BY THE ATTORNEY'S OFFICE. ONE FAMILY FILED THIS ASKING THE JUDGE TO MAKE A DECISION ABOUT RESTITUTION, NOT THE U.S. ATTORNEY, BECAUSE THEY SAY THE U.S. ATTORNEY'S OFFICE CANNOT BE TRUSTED. EDDIE CONNORS WAS A 42-YEAR-OLD FATHER OF 8 WHEN JAMES "WHITEY" BULGER GUNNED HIM DOWN IN A DORCHESTER PHONE BOOTH. NOW 30 YEARS LATER, THE GOVERNMENT IS OFFERING $40,000 TO CONNORS' HEIRS. THEY GAVE US A TAKE IT OR LEAVE IT OFFER. THE CONNORS FAMILY DECIDED TO LEAVE IT CALLING THE OFFER OFFENSIVE. THE GOVERNMENT OFFERED THE 19 MURDER VICTIMS' FAMILIES EQUAL SHARES OF THE $822,000 SEIZED IN BULGER'S APARTMENT IN CALIFORNIA. A 20th SHARE WOULD BE DIVIDED AMONG THREE EXTORTION VICTIMS. HEIDEMAN HAS FILED A MOTION TO ASK THE JUDGE TO OVERSEE THE FORFEITURE, NOT THE U.S. ATTORNEY'S OFFICE, AND HE WANTS TO KNOW HOW MUCH THE GOVERNMENT HAS PREVIOUSLY SEIZED AND IF THERE'S MORE MONEY OUT THERE. THE GOVERNMENT HAS TAKEN SO MUCH MORE MONEY FROM BULGER AND FLEMING AND MADORANO. WHEN ASKED, WE SPECIFICALLY ASKED THEM AT THAT MEETING, WHY DON'T YOU PUT THAT MONEY INTO THE POT TOO AND SPLIT IT AMONGST THE VICTIMS, AND THEY SAID ABSOLUTELY NOT. WHAT THE LAWYERS ARE SAYING VERY STRONGLY IN COURT IS THAT THE POT IS A LOT BIGGER AND THEY SHOULD GET THEIR HANDS ON IT. ACCORDING TO THIS PETITION, THERE'S AT LEAST $4.6 MILLION SEIZED FROM BULGER AND FLEMING PRIOR TO BULGER'S ARREST. NO WORD ON IF THE JUDGE WILL GRANT A HEARING.